Bad Religion

Bad Religion: The Process Of BeliefThe Process Of Belief (2002)
Bad Religion

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: maverickScott
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on January 19th 2002Bad Religion is more than just a punk rock band. They are a punk rock institution. They have existed for almost 20 years and have always been a part of the musical evolution that is independent music. Your Blink 182s, your Sum 41s, your New Found Glories; none of them would exist if it wasn't for.

Bad Religion is more than just a punk rock band. They are a punk rock institution. They have existed for almost 20 years and have always been a part of the musical evolution that is independent music. Your Blink 182s, your Sum 41s, your New Found Glories; none of them would exist if it wasn't for Bad Religion. It is only fitting, then, that "The Process Of Belief" blows all of those bands [and about a million more] out of the water.

The most-hyped point about this album, of course, is the fact that guitarist/songwriter Brett Gurewitz is back in the band after the band's somewhat-failed stint on major label Atlantic Records and subsequent return to Brett's own label Epitaph. What does this mean? It means that vocalist Greg Graffin and Gurewitz wrote together for the first time significantly since 1994. This is the punk rock equivalent of John Lennon and Paul McCartney getting the band back together. If you're not familiar with them [and if that's the case, I feel sorry for you], maybe the basketball analogy of Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson both reuniting with the Chicago Bulls at the same time could help you understand the importance of the situation better. This is a huge deal, and the album definitely lives up to the pressure put upon it.

From the second you press play, the disc shows no intention of letting up on intensity. The trio of opening tracks "Supersonic," "Prove It," and "Can't Stop It" plow through the listener in barely more than 3 minutes total, shushing all nay sayers who said this band had lost their passion for their music. The band has rarely sounded tighter with music this fast. Up next is "Broken," one of the many standouts on this disc. Slowing the album down just a tad [although there's still plenty of energy], this song's infectious chorus coupled with a tasteful acoustic guitar during the verses gets this song my vote for "radio single." I wouldn't be surprised if this is the song they play on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on January 29th. "Kyoto Now!" is the band's collective shot at American politics [what punk album would be complete without one?], and they do a fine job of trying to awaken their audience to the wrongdoings of our capitalist nation. On the other hand, "Sorrow" is an incredibly moving, emotional number that, even though it was written months before the 9/11 attacks, it's repeating message of "And there will be sorrow no more" sticks hard to your ribcage, allowing you to digest it slowly. This song gives me shivers when I listen to it. "The Defense" is a sort of "21st Century Digital Boy" part 2 for the band, with singer Graffin ranting about the desensitization of America's youth coupled with the eventual technological downfall of our basic human rights. It's deep, it's profound, and it's punk rock? Who would have guessed, right?

Overall, the band's triple guitar attack is breathtakingly intricate without losing any ferocity and the drumming is nothing short of rock solid throughout the entire album, partially due to new drummer Brooks Wackerman and his astounding chops. Nothing sounds overdone, with fills in all the right places and breakneck tempos abounding. The band's vocal harmonies, as usual, are bar none. Even though most people say the Ramones are the punk rock version of the Beach Boys, I'd venture to say that Bad Religion doesn't fall far from the Beach Boys inspiration tree with well-crafted melodies and harmonies like these. With tracks like "Destined For Nothing" and the absolute sonic bombast of "Epiphany," you'll find yourself singing along with these in your sleep, or, if you're like me, coming up with your own harmonies to blend in with the already tri-voiced parts. Another well done part of the album are the liner notes and album artwork. The booklet is absolutely gorgeous, with layered tracing paper at some points as well as lyrical foldouts. If you happen to own Radiohead's "Kid A," imagine a punk rock version of their CD booklet and you'll be on the right track. Graffin and Gurewitz have regained their chemistry which made all their early work like "Suffer" and "Against The Grain" so successful. This isn't your father's Bad Religion, and it's a good thing, too - I don't think he could handle it.

MP3s
Supersonic
Can't Stop It

Login to rate this album

People who liked this also liked:

Please login or register to post comments.What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Windfall (July 21, 2007)

I really good album, but The Empire Strikes First is better, in my opinion.

TheWise (March 2, 2006)

Simply awesome. I saw them last November, they played "The Defense", I was so happy, I popped 17 boners!

Anonymous (August 15, 2004)

dude i love to eat corn and then poop it out and eat the corn out of it! its so good!

Anonymous (July 20, 2004)

This is an amazing CD..definitly one of their best....how can anybody say that this is uncreative and uninspired? The lyrics on this CD, and all Bad Religion CDs are surpassed by no other band in my opinion. I love every BR album that I've heard (not quite all of them yet, but I'm working on that) the only one that didn't strike me as being a true quality album was No Substance, but there were even great songs on that. The Process Of Belief is one of the best CDs you will ever come across. ---LaPetiteBanshee

Anonymous (April 2, 2004)

This is a great cd, and Bad Religion is my favorite band of all time. However two things piss me off. One, the second half of this cd is real weak (I wont listen to any tracks after epiphany.) Two, Sorrow is not supposed to be an inspirational song, it is a sarcastic look at the biblical story of Job. It is meant to be a joke. Three, I hate when people try to call Bad Religion a "political" band. Very few of their songs are actually political, and there is only one really political song on The Process of Belief (Kyoto Now!.) They are a very socially conscious band, however they are not political (there is a reason for this, Greg Graffin is an anthropologist, among other things.) Brooks Wackerman is by far the best drummer BR has ever had. I think the reason the last few BR album's sucked is because Bobby Schayer started to suck on the drums. If this was any other band, it would be an amazing album, however for Bad Religion it is good, but not great. It still doesnt compare to Generator or Against the Grain (BR's two best.)

p.s. Im really sick of people who think Greg Graffin is really smart because he uses big words. It really pisses me off to no end.

Anonymous (May 8, 2003)

Wow. Well, after two albums (No substance and New America) that didnt really do much for me (though they are not bad, some good songs just not stand out albums) They get Brett back and WOW what an album they have put together for us, Greg and Brett really do work well together. THIS ALBUM IS MELODIC PUNK AT ITS BEST - BUY THE ALBUM YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED !

mike59271 (April 16, 2003)

this is a great album. bad religion just continues to surprise and amaze its liteners with songsl like "supersonic" and "prove it" these songs are abotu the music and bad religion is abotu that to they are very good at staying close to those who have been with them since the begining. Bad religion has 15 albums and is still going..i highly advise that you starts off listening to these guys if your new to punk

Anonymous (March 6, 2003)

over-fucking-rated. the band and this album.

Anonymous (March 4, 2003)

"Punk is dead. Punk always has been dead. Punk always will be dead. And if it wasn't it wouldn't be punk. You see if something becomes mainstream (ie not "dead") it is not punk."

Why the fuck are you at punknews.org? Do I need to spell it out for you?? OK I will: K-I-L-L Y-O-U-R-S-E-L-F

Anonymous (February 7, 2003)

Anonymous (November 23, 2002)

Jesus fucking christ "Sorrow" makes me want to cry, seriously

Anonymous (November 20, 2002)

"This is the best Bad Religion album ever. I liked their last one, the new america but listening to it now, after having been mesmerized by the Process of Belief, it's just not anywhere near the level of quality of this masterpiece"

Jesus Christ, are you fu.cking serious? Please don't say that the newest record from a band that's been around for 22 YEARS is the best record from them ever when the only basis for comparison you have is a record that came out 2 years ago. There's like 7 o8 other records to listen to before you proclaim this the 'best ever'.

Anonymous (November 18, 2002)

Bad Religion has done it again and i commend them.

rancidgreendayfan (September 30, 2002)

i honestly think this is among Bad Religion's best work. Nothing will top the album NO CONTROl, but this is pretty damn good. I haven't skipped over one track yet. This is real punk rock. bands like NFG and SUm 41do what they do just to be famous. Bad Religion is the best, because they play the best punk rock and they don't fuckin fill up an album with songs about girls. NFG SUCKS ASS!!!

Anonymous (September 2, 2002)

yeah, river city rebels do rock.

Anonymous (July 26, 2002)

Yeah i noticed the descendants reference immediately, i kinda laughed upon hearing good old milo's name...but yeah this is an amazing record, even the somewhat mellower songs (Broken, Epiphany, Sorrow) are near-amazing and they flow so well, even with the weird discrepancy in song lengths..and btw bad religion isn't hardcore, trust me - there're plenty of punks that can tolerate bands like both som. corp. and rise against i.e. myself

Basket031 (July 25, 2002)

I agree.... who doesn't?????

Anonymous (July 25, 2002)

Punk is dead. Punk always has been dead. Punk always will be dead. And if it wasn't it wouldn't be punk. You see if something becomes mainstream (ie not "dead") it is not punk. That sed I would like to say "process of belief" kicks ass. And i think Bad Religion (espicially greg) and the dead kennedys (espicially jello) are the best punk rockers of all time.

Anonymous (July 22, 2002)

I think this is one of there worst cds but its still pretty damn good.

Anonymous (July 9, 2002)

hmm...

SixteenBlue (July 6, 2002)

This is much better than recent fare from BR, it sounds like it came right after Suffer, which is good, but is also bad. BR was a great band, but if they go on any longer they will start to tarnish their legacy like so may great bands before them. If you start making the same record over and over too many times, it's time to hang it up...

Eddie (July 3, 2002)

I just wish more people would realize that not all fans of blink don't know what real punk is. I love blink, and I admit, they are not truly, completely real punk, but they are punk in my book. And I know there are a lot of annoying teeny-boppers who like blink. But real punks like 'em, too. And just because I like blink-182 doesn't mean I don't like Bad Religion. BR's a great band, and I've heard lots of great songs by them (though I still have yet to buy this album, and I'm sure when I do I'll love it). There's not such a clear-cut line between hardcore punk fans and pop-punk fans. Just like a few days ago when I was at Warped, and when Good Charlotte was done with their set, Joel asks, "You guys ready for Bad Religion?" And the exact same GC crowd was also cheering for BR, and stayed to see them.

Anonymous (July 2, 2002)

All I got to say is that I thought this album kicked ass and aslong as I think so thats all that matters to me.

*Social D Rocks*

Speedwell (June 30, 2002)

This is the best Bad Religion album ever. I liked their last one, the new america but listening to it now, after having been mesmerized by the Process of Belief, it's just not anywhere near the level of quality of this masterpiece. My girlfriend liked it immediately and then made a copy for herself and then learned all the lyrics to the songs. And she didn't even like punk music. Now she does though.

Anonymous (June 19, 2002)

No.

Anonymous (June 18, 2002)

Are most Americans dumbass's. All yee seem to do is bitch about each other.

JOE_MOMMA (June 12, 2002)

Emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay emo is soooo gay like this crap

JOE_MOMMA (June 12, 2002)

1 843 875 7102

Anonymous (May 16, 2002)

Bad Religion Sucks -scott mcnab 1-248-594-1933

Anonymous (April 28, 2002)

jesus christ on a bicycle.Why are you all criticizing each other.THIS IS A SITE FOR POSTS ABOUT THE CD!

Artman (April 26, 2002)

WATCH000!!!

Did anyone else think "New America" was better than this? Not that I didn't like this album, I love it. It's just, I dunno, New America was a bit better in songs.

Anybody?

Artman009
IM: Artman009

Anonymous (April 21, 2002)

Am I the only person who noticed the Descendents reference in "You Don't Belong"? "...Milo went the college, but you knew about that". Come on, it's as plain as day.

Anonymous (April 4, 2002)

Bad religion is cheesy

Maestro (March 27, 2002)

Fucking good album - I think I only listened to it 10 times on the day I got it. The case is a work of art in it's own right - get this album now (no, not Blink 182's latest single about fucking and booze).

Anonymous (March 21, 2002)

Uh dude...fathead is dead.

Anonymous (March 20, 2002)

I just wanted to say something, and what better than to say it on the 10 most popular reviews? FATHEAD is the biggest double standard I have ever seen. I would like to take this opportunity to say 'fuck you fathead' and that I will write numerous anti-fathead songs for the rest of my life. You are a disgrace to any kind of community or whatever 'punk scene' you THINK< a> you live in. Fuck off dick-sucker. You will know me in the coming years and you will grow to hate me. You have no musical knowledge whatsoever at all. Go listen to your 'Jets to Brazil' bullshit. Haha, and you call yourself 'punk'. And don't even say I'm pseudo-punk for saying that because you know what?! I'M NOT ANYTHING 'PUNK', I listen to Sum 41 and Blink 182 all day and my band mimics their very exsistence. Fuck off, nobody wants you around. -skinnyhead.

Anonymous (March 19, 2002)

This album is ok... just ok. Nothing special... not even close to special.

Patch (March 16, 2002)

this album by far surpasses anything on the market...ever. this is the best album ever. you can't buy anything better, honestly. to the quirky dumbass who said they sound like saves the day, i like saves the day, don't get me wrong, but mr. brett and his acompaniment do NOT sound like whiney chris. nor does saves the day have group vocals, or the best fricken music of all time. thank you and be shot.

freedomtoopress (March 8, 2002)

Some people just dont deserve to live.

Anonymous (February 24, 2002)

These guys sound like new saves the day, but with less talent. The lyrics on this crappy piece of shit album are so crappy. Fuck this uncreative and meaningless bullshit. Listen to Sunday Back Taking if you like punk rock, okay?

-old punker-

Anonymous (February 20, 2002)

Only if he's refering to you.
Savesthedaypunk

evildeadalive (February 20, 2002)

Do you also agree with him calling people 'fagets'?

Anonymous (February 16, 2002)

I agree with last commentor, if you don't like a band, don't comment on them.
I commend you,
Savesthedaypunk (im on n other comp n dont feel like loging on)

Anonymous (February 16, 2002)

Just one comment about the whole blink 182 argument thing. Fuck, why do you fagets have to be so opinionated about all that? I mean, I like BR and blink because both bands are fun to listen to in their own way. What's the fucking point of fighting with people cause you don't like their music. Who gives a flying fuck. All these bands, new or old, are playing music because it's what teh love to do and they all have fans and peopel that like them. Anyway, the new album is the shit, but the new blink is a pretty funny and good to listen to album as well. Hey has anybody seen the new blink video? Funniest shit ever. Oh one more thing, I hate you all cause all you do is argue with each other.

Anonymous (February 16, 2002)

To the anonymous fuck who could not post his/her name or spell worth a shit
respect your elders. You also have a lot to learn about punk. Andyes i was around
when punk was actually happening,so go back to the mall and your wonderfull home that mommy is paying for and stop trying to believe your somebody who thinks they have a clue-oldpunker-

Anonymous (February 15, 2002)

lol

Drizzt7_drek (February 15, 2002)

I'm not really sure that Taylee was agreeing with you, she might have been agreeing with the 15 year old guy.

Anonymous (February 15, 2002)

And thanks taylee, atleast someone knows what punk is.

Anonymous (February 15, 2002)

Hey old fag, how old are you? Like the clash old? You'r prolly some 15 year old kid sitting in ur basement wishing you knew something about punk.

Anonymous (February 15, 2002)

I agree wholeheartedly.

-Taylee

Anonymous (February 15, 2002)

Oh,is that what punk is all about? Dumbass. Oldpunker-

savesthedaypunk (February 13, 2002)

The band made this CD because the songs ment something to them. The lyrics, the guitar, and yeah, maybe some songs sound the same, but that doesnt mean there bad songs, it only means that the same melody held two meanings to them. Thats what punk is all about.

Drizzt7_drek (February 13, 2002)

Every song might sound the same, but it's a hell of a song.

Anonymous (February 8, 2002)

to the beatles comment, don't try and be mr music man when you don't know shit. and don't make up fake shit to sound smart

Anonymous (February 6, 2002)

They may not sound like a new band on every track but some songs sound too similar to even be called different songs sometimes.

savesthedaypunk (February 6, 2002)

Change has nothing to do with good music, think about it, there are to many aspects to a song to judge it for not being "different". The lyrics on this album are awsome, the guitarest kicks people like the Creed guitarists ass (who apparently is one of the best guitarists of our time, tch...). Thats what makes a good song. Not hearing what sounds like a different band on every track...( screw spelling)

Anonymous (February 6, 2002)

I made the comment 2 down and I give it an 8 not a 10

Anonymous (February 6, 2002)

Yea and the little booklet in the cd is fucking confusing. haha

Anonymous (February 6, 2002)

This album didnt impress me at all. This is by far the best release this year but how far are we into the year and the DKM/Face to Face split hasnt come out, The new thursday hasnt come out yet, and the Rancid/NOFX split hasnt come out yet. I dont this this cd is anything special and some of the stuff bores me. Supersonic is an incredible song but along with Prove it, but Destined for Nothing and Broken are both nothing more than mediocre. I can understand someone enjoying this, I have on many occasions since my purchase, but I cant understand this being called anything more than very good... its no london calling, its no toxicity (to give a recent example). Its nothing groundbreaking its all just Bad Religion nothing that impesses me more than Stanger than Fiction.

Anonymous (February 5, 2002)

This is such a great album, it almost drove me to tears. I can't explain how someone can trash Bad Religion on the premise that At the Drive-In is a better band. Face it: ATDI robbed Fugazi's thunder (and they suck, what a combination). Whereas Greg Graffin writes insightful lyrics that make you ponder the world's habits and afflictions, good ol' ATDI never fails to write non-sensical lyrics a la Scott Weiland. I know the Process of Belief isn't a Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (please note the sarcasm) but it's worth a few thousand listens.

Anonymous (February 5, 2002)

I think it is funny how many ignorant people there are. The one that really get's me is the fat kid who tried to compare Bad Religion to bands like System of a Down and Incubus. I'm mean really what the shit is that!

Bradie

Incubus. Ha! You stupid kid.

Anonymous (February 5, 2002)

To the guy who said that Gurewitz and Graffin write separately while Lennon and McCartney wrote together...you are WRONG. L & M wrote together in the very early days, but that had ended by 1963. Get your facts straight.

Anonymous (February 4, 2002)

A lot of this stuff is too similar to everything else they have put out... This is no masterpiece and nothing incredbile but a decent album

Anonymous (February 4, 2002)

It's a good, solid rock album. Nothing too different from their earlier work.

Anonymous (February 1, 2002)

Not going to wade through the comments to see if this has been said, but here's a few thoughts:

1.) Graffin and Gurewitz reunion is nothing like Lennon and McCarthy getting back together. Not that Bad Religion is necessarily inferior, but that Graffin and Gurewitz write independently of each other, while the two Beatles wrote songs together.

2.) Whatever Graffin-penned song you compared it to, you forgot to mention that 21st Century Digital Boy was written by Brett.

3.) Without BR, there'd be no Pennywise, NOFX, or Offspring (amongst others). This is WAY more singificant than Blink 182 or New Found Glory.

4.) This review makes 2/3 so far (haven't read the third review) that is waaay too super positive and really makes me doubt the reviewer's objectivity. I just read an NME review, giving it 5/10. I'm much more likely to believe the latter.

--Cos

Anonymous (January 31, 2002)

i agree that BR were starting to turn into a pennywise kinda thing, but with their last 2 albums they have changed their style dramaticly

Anonymous (January 31, 2002)

I'm sorry to say this, but I was not impressed with this one. I found it to be fairly mediocre (not to mention they are starting to play like they're 6o). Don't get me wrong, I love Bad Religion (in fact they are my favorite band). I just liked there old stuff better. I'm not talking about their 90's stuff, their 80's stuff can never be topped in my mind.

Anonymous (January 31, 2002)

I know that the person who posted 2 or 3 slots below me that said Bad Religion is boring but Incubus isn't just wrote that to try & piss people off, I mean .. you can't.. actually...be serious.. can ..you? ***trying to hold back laughter***

evildeadalive (January 30, 2002)

God damn, I love Bad Religion again. I had completely written them off after that little string of crappy records there. I had pretty much stopped even listening to their old stuff. But this album has pretty much made them my favorite band again. I can't stop listening to it. Well actually I can... to listen to their old stuff again. To all those out there who are fairly new to Bad Religion check out 'Suffer'. I just dusted it off today and it has got to be one of the best albums ever... by anyone. Is there a better 3 songs in a row ever than 'What Can You Do?', 'Do What You Want' and 'Part IV (the index fossil)'? 'You Are the Government', 'Give You Nothing', 'Land Of Competition', 'Best For You', all classics.
...Sorry, I know this isn't a review for Suffer, but, what can I say? I'm obsessed with this band right now.

savesthedaypunk (January 30, 2002)

You can't please everyone...

Anonymous (January 30, 2002)

amen to the last comment.

Anonymous (January 30, 2002)

I never got into the whole bad religion hype. I dont understand what everyone thinks is so amazing about them. They have been around for a long time and are still putting out decent music which may be why people have labeled them amazing. I however see past the mask of longevity and see that thereis nothing great about them. Nothing groundbreaking coming out by them now. Bands like System of a Down are putting out original stuff, bands like Incubus keep changing their osund and keep giving a new sound to music (even though their last album blew). Bad Religion is putting out the same sound they always have, with the exception of a few tracks.Bad Religon is going to have to do a lot better than this to impress me. Its still decent just not a masterpiece of any kind.

Anonymous (January 30, 2002)

These tracks keep my attention for hours, when catchy material like Broken and sorrow are blended in with cheesey antics like you dont belong, you are definately onto a winner. This album has that special something that cannot be described in words. I just cant help feeling that the boys try to hard sometimes, the magic lies beneath the older tracks for sure and lets face it, nothing will ever match 21st centure digital boy.

Anonymous (January 30, 2002)

Bad Religion has let me down in the past but suprisingly they diden't this time.I thought that after the new america that they should pack it up and go the fuck home. But with killer songs like can't stop it, supersonic,and kyoto now I soon forgave the mistakes of the buys and they have won their way onto my favorites again. If Brooks Whackerman wasn't there I bet they'd still suck. just listen to suicidal tendencies-freedumb then listen to The new america and you'll agree

Anonymous (January 29, 2002)

i've never heard bad religion before

Anonymous (January 29, 2002)

the pet psychic lady is a quack

Anonymous (January 29, 2002)

i eat now yum

fish (January 29, 2002)

"the defense" gives me chills during the chorus.

Barney (January 29, 2002)

Yeah!!!!it new Bad Religion albun is fucking amazing!!!
I´m hoping for a show here in Rio de Janeiro.
BR is simply the best band of the world!!
aloha for all!!!

Anonymous (January 29, 2002)

Amen to the last comment,zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzz

Anonymous (January 29, 2002)

once again people are throwing around that awfull word masterpiece,please dont use that word to describe what the real "m" word is to describe this album
"mediocre".boring album buy a boring band.

freedomtoopress (January 29, 2002)

bad religion is the best band in the world! this cd doesnt have a single song that comes close to bad. how can you not give this five stars? its a fucking masterpiece.

Anonymous (January 29, 2002)

brad religion?

Anonymous (January 28, 2002)

Anyone who like Bad Religion would probably also like going here http://www.mp3.com/thesilentfilmstars.

P.S. "The Process of Belief" kicks my ass.

Anonymous (January 27, 2002)

Bad Religion can never be topped when it comes to energetic, melodic, pissed off and passionate music. They are a punk rock band with the intelligence of Einstein. And the fact that they wrote a song in German (Punk Rock Song) just seals the deal. "Process of Belief" is their best work to date, followed by The Grey Race, Stranger Than Fiction, and No Substance (Raise Your Voice with Campino from Die Toten Hosen rocks). I hope everyone gives them a listen. Its pretty awesome for a band to never have written a single bad song.

Anonymous (January 27, 2002)

wo this has been there best album since starnger than fiction...i hears mr brett was coming back but i didnt know it would be this awesome

Anonymous (January 26, 2002)

Good old Bad Religion
To be honest, I haven`t really kept myself updatet on the punk rock scene for a couple of years now.

So when I saw the new Bad Religion album in a store the other night, I checked it out, for old time sake. And I can`t say that I regret!! I was thrown back almost ten years.
They are still angry, and Gurewitz/Graffin still makes a killer team.
So now I can`t wait for more material from Bad Religion.

I saw the discussion about Blink 182 and Sum 41 etc. Alltough I agree that these bands has a long way to go, no one can really disagree that their kind of "punk" is a product of the punk scene that blew the roof in the mid 90`s? And one of those bands are Bad Religion, so....

plainclothespunk (January 26, 2002)

From the perspective of one who enterd the punk scene with a strong bias built in against such bands as Bad Religion, one can naturally spot the internal conflict that accompanied my first purchase of "The Gray Race" and "Recipe For Hate." I could not, however deny the potency of the few tracks i had heard off these tracks and such left me with a desire to seek out other albums by this oft alientated punk rock icon. As time progressed over the past few years, I found myself growing more and more fond of Bad Religion's style (even in the absence of Mr. Brett) and with my collection completed with the purchase of "The Process of Belief," I now find it impossible to deny that this group has surpassed my previous favorite bands (No Use For A Name, Lagwagon, Pulley, and Zero Down) as truly the best music I have ever heard. In my own opinion, Gurewitz's return is merely the icing on the cake that this album furnished. Thanks to these guys, punk rock attained a new, non-political-based intellectualism that is so rare in the realm of great, fast-paced music in the modern day. Bad religion has become one of the first bands I have ever known to produce not a single song I could say I have disliked. Keep up the good work!

ChrisGorman (January 26, 2002)

Ahh...this album blows me away. I mean yah, its not really groundbreaking, but it is the high quality we have come to expect from Bad Religion. Let people say what they want. In the end, Bad Religon is still one of the greatest punk bands ever.

Anonymous (January 26, 2002)

hey guys great job... don't listen to the negative comments ,cuz they do not know the meaning of bad religion. This is an asume cd, the process of belief is the best of bad religion i've heard yet. It's getting better and better. looking forward for future cd's and i'll see you guys in montreal
BAD RELIGION RULES

Anonymous (January 26, 2002)

This album is the most solid, fast, well-crafted, beautiful Bad Religion album (or any album) in years.

And yes, Epiphany's intro is from NOFX. They said at the CD release show in San Francisco "We kinda stole this intro from NOFX..." and someone immediately shouted "STICKIN' IN MY EYE!"

Anonymous (January 25, 2002)

i find it sad and telling that there are so many topics that are so valid and worth discussing on this album and all people can do here is bitch about label politics, blink 182 and basic bullshit opinions. such subtle signs of a decaying and dead society.

Anonymous (January 25, 2002)

BIG JERK: yea your right... it sound exactly the same... same chords, except bad religion uses it throughout the whole song but still i guess they sound the same. wierd... oh well great punk bands think alike.. and at least they're not like hoobaskankers

Anonymous (January 25, 2002)

Is it just me, or does the intro to Epiphany sound like the intro to "Stickin' In My Eye" by NOFX...?

- bigjerk

Anonymous (January 25, 2002)

who called you a loser

Anonymous (January 25, 2002)

I would never call myself a punk, because then I'd have to claim all you arguing, narrow-minded, "You are a moron because you like Blink. Blink fans are the enemy!", dolts as my peers.

Bad Religion is good. They're not great. I have a right to dislike whatever music I choose, and it's not your right to call someone a loser because they like something else.

Anonymous (January 25, 2002)

dude,your funked!

Anonymous (January 24, 2002)

Bad Religion is more than just a funk rock band. They are a funky institution. They have existed for almost 4 years and have always been a part of the musical evolution that is independent music. Your Limp Bizkits, your Yannis, your Dave Matthews; none of them would exist if it wasn’t for Bad Religion. It is only fitting, then, that “The Process Of Belief” blows all of those bands [and about 2 more] out of the water.

The most-hyped point about this album, of course, is the fact that guitarist/songwriter Brett Gurewitz is back in the band after the band’s somewhat-failed stint on major label Atlantic Records and subsequent return to Brett’s own label Epitaph. What does this mean? Nothing. This is the funk equivalent of Jon Bon Jovi and Paul Stanley of Kiss getting the band back together. (Wait, no... they weren't in a band together, were they?) If you’re not familiar with them [and if that’s the case, I feel sorry for starving children], maybe the baseball analogy of Scot Radinsky and Bo Jackson both reuniting with the Chicago White Sox at the same time could help you understand the importance of the situation better. This is a fairly huge deal, and the album definitely lives up to the pressure put upon it (ifyou enjoy funk, that is.)

From the second you press play, the disc shows no intention of letting up on intensity unless you don't take very good care of your cds, in which case you're probably a sexist. The trio of opening tracks “Supersonic Funk,” “Funkin' Prove It,” and “Can’t Stop The Funk” plow through the listener in barely more than 3 minutes total, shushing all nay sayers who said this band had lost their passion for their funky sounds. The band has rarely sounded funkier with music this funk-driven. Up next is “Funken,” one of the many standouts on this disc. Slowing the album down just a tad [although there’s still plenty of funkergy], this song’s infectious funk grooves coupled with a tasteful acoustic guitar during the verses gets this song my vote for “radio single.” I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the song they play on Late Night with Conan O’Brien on January 29th. “Funk Now!” is the band’s collective shot at American politics [what funk album would be complete without one?], and they do a fine job of trying to awaken their audience to the wrongdoings of our funkadelic nation. On the other hand, “Sorrow Funk” is an incredibly moving, emotional number that, even though it was written months before the 9/11 attacks, it’s repeating message of “And there will be funkyness no more” sticks hard to your ribcage, allowing you to eat it slowly. This song gives me slivers when I listen to it. “The Def(unk)ense” is a sort of “21st Century Digital Funk Boy” part 9 for the band, with singer Graffin ranting about the desensitization of America’s youth coupled with the eventual technological downfall of our basic funk. It’s funky funky funky, it’s profound, and it’s funk rock? Who would have guessed, right?

Overall, the band’s triple guitar attack is breathtakingly intricate without losing any ferocity and the drumming is nothing short of rock solid throughout the entire album, partially due to new drummer Brooks Funkerman and his astounding fro. Nothing sounds overdone, with fills in all the right places and breakneck tempos abounding. The band’s vocal harmonies, as usual, are bar none. Even though most people say that Slayer is the funk version of NWA, I’d venture to say that Bad Religion doesn’t fall far from NWA's inspiration tree with well-crafted lyrics like 'Sraight outa Compton, Muthafucka named Ice Cube...' and so on. With tracks like “Destined For Funk” and the absolute sonic bombast of “Funky Epiphany,” you’ll find yourself grooving along with these in your sleep, or, if you’re like me, coming up with your own lyrics to blend in with the already offensive parts. Another well done part of the album are the liner notes and album artwork. The booklet is absolutely gorgeous, with layered tracing paper at some points as well as lyrical foldouts. If you happen to own Grade's “Headfirst Straight to Hell,” well, it's not like that at all. Graffin and Gurewitz have regained their funkistry which made all their early work like “Funker” and “Against The Funk” so successful. This isn’t your father’s Bad Religion, and it’s a good thing, too – I don’t think he could handle it. Not that I know your father or anything.

Anonymous (January 24, 2002)

Amazing,brilliant,and rightieously angry. 21 years of greatness.

Anonymous (January 24, 2002)

I dont think it gets any better when they sing 'when a man loves a women'. punk rwok

Anonymous (January 24, 2002)

The return of Bad Religion !

Anonymous (January 24, 2002)

This Album is hauntingly (If thats even a word) amazing, there is so much variety in there tunes but if you will find that suffer, no control, against the grain and the grey race are the best.(My humble opinion)
That bloke atimeparadox or whatever is a fucking anal scraper, dont listen to him BR are just plain amazing...
C you the fuck

IagainstI (January 24, 2002)

This is the best stuff that they have done in a while

Anonymous (January 24, 2002)

Hey guys I´m from Germany .... This is one of the greatest Albums i ever heard!
Punx not Dead!
Frosty

Anonymous (January 24, 2002)

Oh by the way, the last post was from me.
City Kid

Anonymous (January 24, 2002)

To atimeparadox: You are a fucking loser. You must get beat up alot. Why don't you become a cop or something. You seem to fit you profile.
I really am sorry if you get picked on at school but if you change your hatein' attitude people might like you. Give them a chance. You will find friends but you have to be nice too. Oh, if your older than 12 disregard the last paragragh and go fuck yourself asshole.

Anonymous (January 24, 2002)

Hi I'm Alex from Italy: this new BR's record is........ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE....I love them and all their fans!!!!
CIAO VIVA L'ITALIA!!!!

ALESSANDRO

maverick (January 23, 2002)

Just for the record, At The Drive-In doesn't suck.

Just thought I'd clear that up.

-Scott

evildeadalive (January 23, 2002)

I like both At The Drive In and Bad Religion.... And I would say Bad Religion is more original. Like I said before, how many bands sounded like them 20 years ago? How many bands sound like ATDI? A hell of a lot. 'Like Epitaph was ever underground'. Well actually it was up until the Offspring got popular.